Covid Impacts – Recycling Program

COVID-19 has impacted our entire community and is now impacting our service providers. The Municipality of Colchester closed their Materials Recovery Facility at the end of March 24th due to concerns for staff health and safety. Since that time the Municipality of East Hants has continued to collect and store recyclables (blue bag materials) at our facility in Georgefield.

Due to the continued impacts of COVID-19 on operations and storage of recyclables throughout Nova Scotia reaching unsafe levels, the Minister of Environment has granted permission for landfills to dispose of recyclables, as needed.

East Hants Curbside Collection

There is no change for curbside collection services including recyclables. Residents have a few options they can consider related to recyclables:

Residents who can store recyclables should, this will reduce the chances of those materials going to landfill.

Residents who have limited storage options could opt to store their paper products (less chance of pests) and set curbside only the containers bags.

Residents are encouraged to store textiles that we normally received for recycling collection in separate bags and then donate to charities once those options reopen.

Curbside Sorting

While the Minister of Environment has approved landfilling of recyclables due to safety concerns please note:

Landfilling is a last resort for recyclables.

Sorting curbside is still a requirement. Wherever possible the Municipality will send materials to alternative recycling facilities; therefore, our materials must be well sorted. To date, East Hants has sent over 35 tonnes of recyclables to a recycling facility in Kentville since Colchester closed.

Re-opening of Colchester’s Material Recovery Facility could occur just as quickly as it closed so we need to ensure our materials are ready for processing.

East Hants residents have proven time and again they are proud of their recycling efforts, and for the last 2-years you have been the best in waste diversion in Nova Scotia. During these unprecedented times keep up your efforts, store recyclables if you can and know that wherever possible they will be sent to market. Thank you for your continued support of our strong waste management programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Covid Curbside

Expand All|Collapse All

1. What is “essential waste”?

04.05.20

Essential waste materials are those which will cause odours or attract pests if left where they were generated – regular garbage and household organics (food waste).

Non-essential organics materials include yard and tree debris.

Non-essential waste materials include twine, wood, plastics, dirty silage wrap, shingles, etc. These materials are to be stored where generated until the Public Health directives have been lifted, thereby allowing us to lift our restrictions. Alternatively, resident may rent commercial dumpsters for their projects.

Like all high-touch surfaces, proper cleaning should take place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Residents may wipe the handles of their garbage cans or green carts with a disinfectant between uses (pre and post collection).

9. I heard Colchester is landfilling recyclables - what does that mean to East Hants?

04.05.20

The Municipality of Colchester facility has closed to ensure the safety of their employees and to remain compliant with Public Health recommendations during the pandemic.

The Colchester Materials Recovery facility is the processor for East Hants blue bag materials (recyclables). With their closure, materials collected in East Hants have been stored at the East Hants Waste Management Centre.

Regular curbside recyclables collection is unaffected at this time. Material set out for collection will continue to be picked up.

Residents can opt to store recyclables until the facility reopens, and then place materials out for collection.

East Hants will need to send some recyclables to landfill this is due to storage safety concerns. However, this will be done as needed only. Alternatives for processing have already been found for some materials.

Solid waste collection and processing have been identified as an industry exempt from social distancing and 5-person limits under the Health Protection Act Order (revised March 26, 2020). However, precautions are still being taken.

Collection workers and staff in our facilities wear personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, work clothing, masks, etc.) to protect them from the hazards they encounter on a daily basis.

Safe workplace practices are being followed (e.g. social distancing, health checks, frequent hand-washing).

Collection vehicles and equipment are being cleaned and sanitized with a higher frequency.

It is very important that any material used while sick, like tissues, masks, disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves and bathroom products (i.e. hygiene products, diapers) go in the regular garbage bag and that the bag is securely tied for collection.

Only place carts or bagged materials out when necessary (if your cart is less than half full, consider waiting for your next scheduled collection).

Garbage and recyclables must be in bags that are tightly tied for collection.